Bruce Power stations given highest ratings by independent regulator

An aerial view of the Bruce Power site in Kincardine, Ontario. (CNW Group/Bruce Power)

TIVERTON, ON, Aug. 18, 2016 /CNW/ - Bruce Power has received its best-ever report card from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), the country's independent regulator of nuclear facilities.

Both Bruce A and B received an overall 'Fully Satisfactory' mark for the CNSC's Integrated Plant Ratings, which the regulator has compared to an 'A+' in past media reports. Both stations were also deemed Fully Satisfactory for Operating Performance, Conventional Health and Safety, Waste Management and Security. The other 10 areas rated by the CNSC were deemed 'Satisfactory,' which is equivalent to an 'A.'

"This is the first year both of our stations have been deemed to be Fully Satisfactory, now that Bruce A has joined Bruce B with this prestigious ranking," said Len Clewett, Bruce Power's Chief Nuclear Officer. "Since the Units 1 and 2 refurbishment project was completed in 2012, staff have worked extremely hard to improve the reliability of Bruce A, while always maintaining our Number 1 value of Safety First. We are seeing the fruits of their labour today, as we celebrate this achievement across the Bruce Power team."

Never one to rest on its laurels, Bruce Power will continue to strive to achieve Fully Satisfactory marks in all 16 categories annually rated by the CNSC, Clewett added.

"A nuclear power plant is only as good as its last week, day and hour. We live and work in a culture of continuous improvement, and we will take the CNSC's ratings and evaluate areas we can do even better in future years."

Bruce Power representatives are appearing before members of the Commission today to discuss the rankings. The webcast can be streamed at www.nuclearsafety.gc.ca/.

About Bruce PowerBruce Power operates the world's largest operating nuclear generating facility and is the source of 30 per cent of Ontario's electricity. The company's site in Tiverton, Ontario, is home to eight CANDU reactors. Formed in 2001, Bruce Power is an all-Canadian partnership among Borealis Infrastructure Trust Management (a division of the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System), TransCanada, the Power Workers' Union and The Society of Energy Professionals. A majority of Bruce Power's employees are also owners in the business.